High Functioning ADHD in Women
Women with high functioning adhd are unhappy and are often misunderstood in their relationships. The symptoms may be more severe in times of hormonal changes, such as the premenstrual and menstrual cycles.
Many women and girls resort to compensatory strategies to mask their impairments and symptoms can delay referral.
This patient group has distinct challenges that need to be considered when treating them.
1. Self-Esteem is not a strong point.
Women can feel depressed by the emotional and social issues of ADHD. Even if they're successful, it is easy to feel like they're an failure due to things they can't change. This can result in an endless cycle of feeling like they are constantly overwhelmed and never good enough and can affect their mental health and self-esteem.
Girls who aren't treated for ADHD are at higher risk of chronic low self-esteem, anxiety, teen pregnancy depression, and abuse of substances. As adults, they are more likely to be parents on their own to a child suffering from ADHD and also facing financial difficulties or unemployment. They are also more likely than others to suffer from eating disorders and to pass their bad habits on to their children.
It's essential that girls get a diagnosis as it will help them better understand the challenges they face and manage their symptoms. Many women say that they feel more confident after receiving their diagnosis, which allows them to stop beating themselves up over the little things they can't manage. It can also help them reframe their struggles and refocus on what's important (Waite 2010).
As women age and move towards menopausal age the hormone levels of their bodies change and ADHD symptoms may get worse. It can be difficult to diagnose and treat patients with ADHD because their symptoms may be misdiagnosed and dismissed as "hormonal", "that time of month" or "an anxiety disorder".
Having untreated adult ADHD can have devastating effects on self-esteem of women, and her relationships with family and friends. The symptoms can affect daily routines, making her frustrated and exhausted. It is possible that she cannot say no to people, leading her to overburden herself and feel resentful towards people close to her. It can be difficult organizing her home and work life, which leads to delayed appointments and lost documents. She may be more easily affected by rejection and is more likely to lash out at people she likes.
2. Rejection Sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity is a condition that causes you to feel a strong sense of when you're being rejected, either real or perceived. You might be triggered by a disagreement with your partner or a negative review from a coworker at work. The brain's natural defense mechanisms are overstimulated which can trigger thoughts, feelings and beliefs that can affect your self-esteem and relationships. The sensitivity to rejection can also result in anxiety, depression and mood fluctuations.
Rejection sensitivity, while often associated with ADHD is actually an indication of emotional dysregulation. This affects the way your brain handles emotions and how you respond to them. The symptoms can also be observed in other mental health disorders such as borderline personality disorder (BPD).
RSD patients can see events through a filter, which makes them appear brighter or darker than they are. This makes them more likely to interpret and interpret events as rejection-related, even when they are not. RSD can cause you to be in a state of being unable to control your emotions. This is why it is crucial to develop healthy coping mechanisms to manage RSD.
Read the articles below to learn more about the sensitivity to rejection.
While there is no cure for RSD but it is possible to manage your symptoms with the help of a mental health professional. You can use strategies to cope, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps change your negative thought patterns. You can also establish an alliance of support and practice mindfulness to reduce your chance of reacting negatively to rejection. This will help you discover ways to overcome your RSD, so you can live a happier and more satisfying life. Avoid toxic relationships because they can cause more symptoms. If you are in an abusive relationship, seek counseling to learn how you can safely quit. This can help you reduce your risk of feelings of rejection, like anxiety and depression. You can also improve your self-esteem by focusing on developing healthy relationships. This will help you feel more confident in your abilities and give an honest view of life.
3. Sexuality
ADHD symptoms can make the maintenance of a healthy relationship a challenge. This often leads to sexual dysfunctions and risky behavior. Women with adhd that is high functioning might be more at risk of having sexual issues. These behaviors can also cause feelings of shame and guilt which can have a negative effect on the quality of their relationships and overall wellbeing.
One study conducted a survey of adults with ADHD and discovered that they were more likely to be interested in sexual activities than those who did not suffer from the disorder. Both genders were affected. This is probably due to the greater impulsivity levels that can cause them to be more likely act on their sexual ideas and desires. The study found that women who have adhd are more likely to indulge in paraphilic fantasies and behaviors. This included submissive roles, bondage and sex with strangers. They also went to sex parties and more clubs.
Females and males with adhd had a greater rate of infidelity than those without the disorder. This was due to their lack of impulse control and alcohol withdrawal, as well as the desire to feel. This is probably due to their higher levels of insecurity, and feeling misunderstood or criticized by their partners. The survey asked respondents about their experiences with extra-partner affairs and sexual relations without contraception. Table 6 summarizes the results of this section.
Lastly, the study used the Hypersexuality Symptom Inventory-19 (HBI-19) to inquire of participants about their sexual problems. The questionnaire is comprised of 19 items, which are divided into three subscales. Each item is scored on a 5-point scale ranging that ranges from 1 (never) to 5 (very often). The higher the score the more symptomatology is present. The HBI-19 was developed in order to compare sexual behaviors between people with ADHD and those without.
These findings are significant, because the psychosexual results for adults with ADHD were not studied as often. They have been associated with sexual dysfunctions such as STIs and unwanted pregnancy, relationship dissatisfaction and adult-onset infidelity, as well as risky sexual behaviors.
4. Relationships
Many people who have high functioning ADHD have trouble in their relationships with loved ones. A lack of clear communication, and misunderstandings caused by symptoms such as inattention and forgetfulness can lead to anger, resentment, and conflict in the relationship. Maintaining healthy relationships can be made easier by a supportive network of family and friends who understand.
It is crucial to keep in mind that those with ADHD have a difficult time listening. They are easily distracted by their own thoughts or impulsive behaviors which could result in them missing out on the central reason for a discussion. People with ADHD may also have trouble multitasking, which can lead them to shut out conversations or perform other tasks while other people are talking.
These conflicts can result in a vicious cycle where the person who isn't ADHD is overwhelmed with anxiety and anger, and the ADHD partner feels that they are not understood. The problem can escalate from there as they become more withdrawn.
Women with high-functioning ADHD are often exhausted and overwhelmed by their daily demands. adhd women uk may experience feelings of guilt and low self-esteem as a result of their impulsive and disorganized behavior, or feel that they're unable to keep up with their bills and chores. They may also have mood swings, rejection sensitivity and low sexual desire.
It is essential that those with ADHD seek treatment and seek out help. It is important that the people closest to them, especially spouses, understand ADHD and how it affects the person they love. Together, they can establish clear expectations and establish boundaries. Then, they can come up with an action plan to achieve their goals. The non-ADHD partner can take on more financial responsibility while the person with ADHD would focus on organizing and completing the housework.
In addition, both partners should be able to communicate clearly and effectively and establish a routine that incorporates regular sleep patterns, meal times and time for rest and relaxation. It is also essential to discover ways to make life easier for both parties, such as dividing household chores, or outsourcing certain tasks that are challenging for a person with ADHD for example, hiring cleaning services or utilizing apps to manage expenses.